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When You've Outgrown Your Garage

By

Jennifer SaranowStaff Reporter of The Wall Street Journal

Updated Aug. 18, 2005 12:01 a.m. ET

What Is It: More companies are coming out with portable garages designed to provide additional storage for car owners whose permanent garages are too small or too packed full with stuff like lawn furniture to provide shelter for their cars, boats and motorcycles. Most of these "instant" garages look like tents, consisting of polyethylene fabric covers over steel frames, and can be set up on driveways or lawns.

How to Get It: Among the manufacturers, ShelterLogic LLC offers one-car and two-car garages with round or peaked-style roofs and larger versions for recreational vehicles and boats. This fall, the company plans to roll out a one-vehicle barnlike garage. You can buy the garages, available in gray, green, tan, or white, at retailers such as Shelters of New England (sheltersofnewengland.com) and Menards (www.menards.com). Shelter King has a range of garages at shelterking.com, including a one-car model in green, gray, or tan. Next month, the company plans to launch two more sizes that will fit longer cars, trucks, tall boats, campers and motor homes. QuickStructures LLC just launched QS 1224, a one-car 12 ft. by 24 ft. garage, earlier this year. Retailers can be found by calling a toll-free number listed at www.quickstructures.com. Harnois Shelters (www.harnoisshelters.com) plans this month to introduce a smaller shelter for snowmobiles, motorcycles, or all-terrain vehicles.

Upside: The products, which are designed to withstand elements like snow and rain, are a quicker and more inexpensive way to get more garage space than building a permanent structure or addition. They also can provide storage for vehicles that can't fit into regular-sized garages and need protection (think trailers or vintage cars).

Downside: Often referred to as "garages in a box," the products have lots of parts to them and can be about as labor-intensive as putting together a swing set. Assembly of a one-car garage can take anywhere from one to three hours, according to the manufacturers, while the larger models can take all day.

Cost: A one-car ShelterLogic garage starts at $299 and can run up to $499 if you opt for heavier grades of fabric and additional accessories. Two-car models start at $999. Shelter King charges $399 for its one-car version and $1,399 for the two-car one. QuickStructures' QS 1224 starts at about $800. Most companies will also charge more if you want features like skylight-like clear panels on top or special vents. Shelter King charges $50 extra for a skylight, a panel on the top only; $35 extra for a vent kit and about $500 if you want a wood door and an electronic door opener.

When You've Outgrown Your Garage

What Is It: More companies are coming out with portable garages designed to provide additional storage for car owners whose permanent garages are too small or too packed full with stuff like lawn furniture to provide shelter for their cars, boats and motorcycles.